Process of treating hydrocarbons



Junel, 192s. 1,5 7,491 R. CROSS PROCESS OF TREATING HYDROCARBONS Filed Feb. 9, 1923 CONMEIYSEH RECEI V51? E88 F a;

Application filed Eebruary 9, 1923. Serial Ho. 817,955.

This invention relates to a process for treating hydrocarbons, and refers more particularly to the conversion, decolorization and neutralization of the hydrocarbon prod- 57 vucts to product hydrocarbons of a lower boilingpoint having the characteristics of gasoe. Among theisalient objects of the invention are to provide a process in which the hydrocarbons are treated while in the vaper phase, to the actionrof anhydrous silicates whereb the hydrocarbon products are relieved of o jectionafble elements, and when condensed, producefa water white marketable distillate to provide a process in which the substance used in connection with the conversion of the oil has not only a cleansing and purifying action, but also has the characterlstics of a neutralizer and catalyst promoting. the conversion while improving and increasing the distillate obtained; to.

provide a process which may be,operated continuously and is preferably operated under a'substantial pressure of the generated vapors; to provide an a paratus which permits the isolation of se ected stages so that the stages separated from the system may be cleaned and cut-back into the system with- V out interruption of the processing of the hydrocarbon products:

The single figure is a diagrammatic side .elevational view of the apparatus with parts shown in perspective to show more clearly I the arrangement of the separate treating colgm,

At 1 is shown a still mounted in a furnace 2 which'is heated by means of gas burners 3. Thestill isconnected by a vapor line 4' mg secondary lines 5 and 6 to treating col-f umns 7 and 8. These columns in'turn are connected by pipes 9 and 10 respectively to a commonhe or 11V which communicates with a water condenser 12 throu h a line 13.- The receiver-.14 is connected y a pipe -15 to'the discharge end of the condenser.

'to the method of treating the v Referring oil, the c rging stock. is introduced to the stillthrough the pipe 16 controlled by a valve 17. and after-conversion in the still,

vapor line .4rcontrollede y the valve :18.- The liquids maybe drawn ofl either intermittently-or continuously through the li'uid-i drawofi line 19 controlled by the v ire-20. v

. The vapors rising through thevapor line to permit the vapors rising'throu nection' in the vapor line 4 to percolate' volatile portions ass -ofithrough the through yt c tenden y wh ch not only 1m columns 7 or 8 by controlling the valves '21 and 22 interposed in the 5 and 6. w

The treating columns are identicalin form and a description of one will sufiice. The column consists of an outer jacketed casing 23 which is heavily iiisulated as shown at 24 to prevent loss of heat by radiation. At the bottom of the treating column are In 25 which support the lower pans 26. t regular intervals throughout the column and held in spaced apart relation by spacer tubes 27 mounted upon the vertical rods28 are perforated pans 29.- The rods are connected at the to by means of bars 30 which are fitted with rings 31 by meansgf which the the top of t e casing when the removal heads pans maybe withdrawn through 32 are unbolted from the casing and removed. I

In addition to-the pans 29 being perforated, the lower pans 26 are also iprfora'ted g the conthrough the column and through agranular treating agent which. is distributed over the surface of the perforated pans.

In the jacket of the caslng may be .circu I lated hot oil or steam to maintain, the proper temperatures during treatment. Thermometers 33 are interposed both in the jacketed portion and also n the interior of the casing in order to ascertain at all times the temperatures therein. The treated vapors pass ,ofi from the" top of the column through the lines 9 and 10 controlled by valves 34 and 35 respectively, are. subjected to a condensd are" finally collected as action, an liquid distillate in the receiver 14.

f Valves 36 and 37. are interposed in-the lines 13 and 15, if it is desired to regulate thprfiressures in the separate stages.

e reciliver i? nipped 3th a pressure gauge 38 quid eve gauge pressure relief valvd i0 and a liquid drawofi valve 41.- The invention lies. princi ally in the treatment-of hydrocarbon pr uctswhile in proves the character of the distillate, but increases materially the quantity of desirable low boiling point products obtained.

Such a material or substance is a mineral known as bentonite which is mined in Utah, uth Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and other western States. -The mineral is found as hydrous silicate of alumina and is used after being ignited to remove substantially all of its moisture content.

' vided. condition,

readily deliquesces,

' In treating the vapors, it is desirable to have the material in a relatively finely diand it is also desirable that the temperature of the treater or treating column is maintained above thedry point of the distillate being treated, as the material producing a gummy mass, the amount of mineral necessa for producing the desired efl'ect being re need as low as pounds for every 1000 pounds of oil treated, and even these relations may 'togivegoodresults.

cuprite ave practically as'good "a des'ulphuri'z' action as chemically pure cop r oxide. Eodresults have also been had with siderite or basic carbonate of iron as a deodorizerand decolorizer. Natural silicates and carbonates of zinc also have been found Manganese compounds 1 deodorize and desulphurize, but have aslight i subsequently a finely divided state and rial will be relic i tent and other objectionable elements and tendency to give a green distillate. It is desirable to use these metallic substances in conjunction with the bentonite or like silicious substances. Y

. The method that has been most successful in givin gasolinethat is water white in color wi a perfectly sweet odor and which p the Doctor test and the copper corrosion test, is to make a gel by water with the bentonite and combine with e la metallic com und such as copper oxi e in in proportions co nding to the amount the oil to be treated. Themixture is then dried, and ground into granular form, and

at a peratm-e preferably not lms than 500 F;

. e vapors on through this mate- 'willbecollectedinthereceiverasasw u odored water white distillate. 1

The apparatus is such that either column {header 11.

removed through, the top 0 advantageous under cerfl malachite, azurite or of sulphur in their sulphur contreated 7 or 8 may be isolated from the system by closing the valves interposed in the lead lines connected to the vapor pipe 4 or the Unionsare'shown inthe lines 9 and 10 connected into the top of the treating column for removing the vapor pipes and the heads 32 of the columns.

It has been found that a more perfect contact is obtained by the" use of bentonite mixed with diatomaceous earth. 7 When one treating-column has been cut out of the system, and the Perforated pans the column by withdrawing the rack formed by the two vertical rods and cross bars 30, the material may be rejuvenated by burning out the adsorbed carbonaceous material. The rejuvenated material may be ground in the pans, and the column again out into the system while the opposite column is cut out for cleaning. v In the dehydration or decolorization of lubricatingoils, it is desirable to have the material in the form while in the treatment colorizing and neutralizing as herein explained, a relatively fine powder gives a more complete treatment. 7

As far as the operating conditions such as pressure and temperature conditions maintained upon the m are concerned, this may be regulated in accordance with the oil treated and the character of distillate de? sired. Certain oils are best converted under relatively high p and tempera tures, while others give best resulteunder lower temperatures and *3 Bentonite as mined in 0 States may vary to some extent in the minerals which it contains, and for this reason the invention has not been limited solely to the use of bentonite, but rather to the use of an anhydrous silicate. The particular mineral content-of the difiemnt forms mentation.

I claim as my ifnvention: 1. A process 0. treajng petroleum o in heating and the oil under substantial pressure, 01;:1 I: the

and replaced of coarse granules, of thevapors for deprior to r condiet western evolved vapors through a mixture of-bentonits andasaltofametalhavinganafini. forrthe sulphur compounds of the oil I e mainta' themixture above the drypomt oftheoil, andcond 1; and vaporasliquid aw i u 2 .A procem oftreating pqrpleum ml, consisting in'heating and under pressure, evolved vapors through amixture of bentonite, diatomaceous earth and a metallic salt having an aifimty for the Sulphur compounds of the oil while maintaining the mixture above the dry point of the oil, and condensing and'collecting the treated vapors as liquid distillate.

3. A process of treating petroleum oil, consisting in heating and. vaporizing the oil under substantial pressure, passing the evolved vapors through a mixture of bentonite, diatomaceous earth and a metallic salt having an aifinity for the sulphur compounds of the oil while maintaining the v'ixture above the dry point of the oil, and condensing and collecting the treated vapors as liquid distillate.

,4. A process of treating petroleum oil, consisting in heating and vaporizing the oil under substantial pressure, passing the evolved vapors through a mixture of bentonite, diatomaceous 'earth'and a metallic salt having an aflinity for the sulphur compounds of the oil while maintaining the mixture above the dry point of the oil, and condensing and collecting the treated vapors as liquid distillate.

5. A process of treating petroleum oil, consisting in .heatmg and vaporizing the oil under substantial pressure, passing the evolved vapors through a mixture of benton-' its and copper salt, and condensing and collecting the treated vapors as liquid distillate;

6. A process of treating petroleum oil, consisting in heating and vaporizing the oil under substantial pressure, passing the evolved vapors through a mixture of bentonite, diatomaceous earth and a copper salt.

while maintaining the mixture above the dry point of the oil, and condensing and collllectingthe treated vapors as. liquid disti ate.

BOY oaoss, 

